Signaling apparatus.



" G. I'. ATWOOD.

SIGNALING APPARATUS.

ARPLIOATION FILED H1B. 26, 1906.

1 ,000,572. Patented Aug. 15, 1911.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

G. I'. ATWOOD.

VSIGNALLING APPARATUS.

APPLIOMION FILED 312.26, 190s.

Patented Aug. 15, 1911.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

A` G 00 @gli G. I'. ATWOOD.

SIGNALING APPARATUS.

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STAWENT 'OFFRE l GEORGE E. ATWOOD, OE EAsT ORANGE, NEWv JERSEY, AssIGNoR TO WESTERN ELEO- TRIc COMPANY, OE cHIcAeo,4 ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OE ILLINOIS.

SIGNALING APPARATUS.-

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 1911.

Application led February 26, 1906. Serial No. 303,019.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, GEORGE F. A'rwoon, a citizen of the United States, residing at East Orange, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and ,useful Improvements in Signaling Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to electrical signaling apparatus, and more partlcularly to a telephone set adapted for use in locations where it is exposed in more than an ordinary degree to conditions tendmg'to interfere with its proper operation.

. My principal object has been-to design a telephone set adapted for use 1n forts, and on the battle-field, as

urmg battle, wherein it is necessary that thel telephone sets be mounted on arapets and emplacements adjacent to the ig guns, or even on the guns themselves. It will be appreciated that in an instrument of this character it is necessary so to construct and assemble the associated partsV of the set that they will be given the greatest possible protection, not only against the mechanical dlsturbances and concussions due to the discharge'of' the heavy guns, but against rain and -atmospheric disturbances as well, and against the entranceof insects to the delicate working parts of the apparatus when the set is used in exposed locations. To this ond, and tothe end that the resulting instrument may combine the maximum efficiency, accessibility, and ease of operation with the minimum liability of disarrangement of its working parts from the causes abovementioned, I havel incorporated in the telephone set of my invention a number of features of novelty which will be more particularly. de. scribed in the following specifica-tion and pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a-perspective View of a telephone set embodying the features of my invention, a portion of the inclosing shellfbeing broken away to show the interior arrangement; Fig. 2 is a front elevation ofthe set with the door of the shellopen and part-ial'l broken away, and the front panel-remove from the ap paratus case; Fig. 3 is a plan view of the lower side of the inner apparatuscasegFig. 4vis a side sectional elevation of the set on line 4 4 ofFig. 2; and Fig. 5 is a detail art of a tele honer be a parapet or-emplacement adjacent to a large gun, or, if desired, to the gun itself.

slightly rounded as shown, andv caused to project slightly beyond the face of the shell to aid in shielding the apparatus mounted `within the shell from rain and the like. The

shell is provided with a heavy door 4 of metal, which, in the present instance, is secured to the shell by hinges 5, which comprise an upper and a lower lug extending.

fr om one side of the door and coperating wlth corresponding llugs projecting from the side of the shell. Each of the hinges is completed by a pintle 6 which is permanently secured to one of Vthe lugs (in the present instance, the lug vassociated with the shell) and has a loose connection with thel other lug to serve as a fulcrum therefor. The

-hinged connection of the door with the shell is such that, when desired, the door may readily be removed from the shell to allow the greatest freedom of use of the telephone. The inner surface of the door is preferably concave or dish-shaped, while the edge ofthe shell which serves as a seat for the door is provided with aflange 7 upon which a gasket 8 of rubber or other suitable material is secured by the staples 9h to insure a watertight engagement when the doorvis closed. The door is provided with a locking member which comprises a handle 10 secured to a shaft 11 that passes through the door and has secured to its inner end a segmental shoe 12 having a cam surface on its upper side adapted to en age and cooperate with the inner side oft e flange 7 which serves as aseat for the door. A pin 13 is carried at one endof the segmental shoe to serve as a stop `The top- 3 of the protecting shell may be to limit the rotation'of the handle as it isv ,turned to bring the segment into its locking position. v l

In the lower side of the shell 1 is an opening 14, the shell about the Opening prefershown, in order tov afford greater strength.

" Across this opening is secured a screen or grating 15, in the present instance by means of a rin 16 between which and the inside of the shell e enlarged ring around the opening, and carrying nuts ontheir inner ends. The screen 15 is preferably of heavy wire better to resist mechanical injury, and lof relatively fine mesh to prevent the entrance of insects to the interior of the shell. The shell is also provided with another and smaller opening 18 in the lower side thereof through which the conductors ma beled to the apparatus mounted within t e shell, This opening, which may also be provided with a stren thening rim, is preferably screw-threade as shown.

Within the s'hell is located the telephone apparatus, and inthe present embodiment of my invention this apparatus is mounted within and carried upon a case 19 secured to the inner walls of the shell, sol as to be readily removable therefrom as a unit. As illustrated, the case 19, which may be of wood or other suitable material is provided with aremovable-side or anel 2O between which and the portion o the case which serves as a seat for the panel is interposed a gasket 21 of felt or like material to insure a weather and insect-proof joint whenl the panel is in place. The panel'is secured to the case preferably by means of thumb screws i22 arranged to co erate with screw'- threaded lugs 23 secure to the interior walls of the case, the screws preferably being so related to their assoclated escuteheons that while .they may readily be unscrewed 'from their coperating lugs to permit the removal of the panel, they are held in the panel to avoid being lost. A

The case 19 containing the telephone apparatus,-as has been stated, ls secured tothe protecting shell in such a manner that it `may readily be removed therefrom, and this, in the present instance, is accomplished by securing t-o each side of the case angle pieces 24, the projecting flange of each of which is adaptedto slide in a corresponding groove or guideway in strips 25 projecting from, Aand, 'if desired, Vformed integrally with, the walls of the shell 1. In order to hold the case in position within the shell,

the projecting ange of one or vmore of the r angle pieces 24 may be slotted, as indicated at 26, to receive a pin 27 which maybe secured to the inner wall of the shell by an eye and chain, the pin passing'through a hole in the anges of the guideway and through the slot 26l in the'angle piece.

Within the case 19 is mounted the telephone apparatus, the `character of which may be varied as desired, but lwhich as the screen or grating is clam ed by means of screws v17 passing through shown in the present instance comprises two cells of dry battery held in a pi con hole 28 in one corner of the interior o the case, a

ycondenser 29 secured to one wall of the case by means of a metal strap immediately beneath'the pigeon hole containing'the battery, a switch 30 com rising contact members actuated by a s'ha t passing through the lower wall ofthe case and carrying an operating lever or handle 31 at its outer end, a telephone bell or ringer- 32 the electromagnetic portion of'which is mounted within the case while the gongs are secured to the lower w-all of the case on the outside thereof, a generator33 for nproducing alternating ringing currents, firmly secured to the lower land a side wall of the case, Aand having an 'o erating handle passing out through the ront panel 20 of the case, au

induction coil 34 mounted on the upper wall of the case, anda switch 35 also mounted on the 'upper wall of the case and having an actuating rod or key 36 passing through the top of the-case to the outsidethereof,

with its upper end in position to be engaged and depressedby a telephone receptacle carried on the top of the case.

4In the use of the set certain of the apparatus mentioned, above must be directly actuated from the outside of the case, and in order that this may be done without at the same time providing'a pathforthe entrance to the case of rain, insects and the like, I. make use of special construction to prevent the access of such disturbing elements. As

4to the generator, this consists, in the present inst-ance, in providing a stuffing box se- ,cured to the front panel 20, comprising a centrally perforated washer or ring 37 lying within an annular escutcheon- 38 with a ring 39 of-felt or like suitable material between them, and with its inner edge bearing against the generator shaft-'where it passes through the panel. As ,to the telephone bell or ringer 32, I adopt a materially modified construction in order that the electromagnet in the insidey of the ease may act upon the gongs on the outside without leavingL any opening through the wall of the- -case, the substance 'of the modification being that motion is transmitted from the armature to the tapper-of the bell by way of a shaft, instead of by the usual oscillating tapper arm. In the present instance, the electro-magnet of the ringer 32 lies fiat on the bottom of the case with the shaft 54, which serves as a fulcrum for the armature of the magnet, extending transversely through the bottom wall,y and carrying on its outer end a tapper arm 55 lying parallel with the wall and arranged to strike the gongs as the shaft is twisted by the armature. Where the shaft passes through the .wall it is surrounded by a felt washer 56 held in place by an annular escuteheon.

The telephone 'bell is so mounted that itsgongs may be secured on the outside lof the case in proximity to the screened opening 14in the bottom of the protecting shell, in

order that the sound may readily behaard onthe outside. I also provide speciall means for sealing the case where the operating rod or keyA 36'Y of the switch 35 passes through it. VThe rod cr key is surrounded by a cylindrical collar 40, 'which passes through the upper wall of the case and which in a hollow space in its interior carries a helical compression spring encircling the actuating rod and holding it normally with its outer end elevated above'the end of the collar, and

in position to be depressed to actuate the switch. To permit the depression of the actuating rod or key to operate the switch, and at the same time prevent the entrance of moisture and the like into the case, I provide, in the present instance, a flexible diaphragm 41 of leather or like material, preferably treated to render it impermeable to moisture. This diaphragm is held in place by screws passing through a metal ring 42 which clamps the diaphragm to the-top of the case, making a tight joint therewith.

Movably secured to the topof the case, preferably by the hinges 43 the members of which are fulcnumed upon each other by the rod 44, as illustrated, is a receptacle 45 adapted to receive the telephone instrument; Y when the same is not in use. This recep.

tacle may, as shown, be in the form of a pan of metalV resting upon and normally held in an elevated position bythe leaf `springs 46 fastenedat one end .to the case and en. gaging the pan at the other end. A mat 46a of insulating and cushioning material such as soft rubber'may Vbe laid in the bottom of the pan to prevent contact of the telephone with the pan. The upward movement of the pan is limited by means of the stops 47 carried upon the case, which engage lugs 48 secured to the sides of the pan. When the receptacle or tray 45 is depressed by the weight of the telephone it is caused to engage the top of the actuating/rod or key 36 through the diaphragm 41 ami, by depressing the rod, to actuate the switch.' y

The binding posts 49, which serve as terminals for the circuits of the apparatus v within the case, and with which the wires from the outside are to be connected, are mounted in suitable positions on the outer wall of the case 19, in the present instance upon thelower wall. The switch 30 yon the lowerwall ofthe case, as has been stated, is provided with an actuating shaft which passes through the wall of the case and carries an operating handle or lever 31 on t-he outside thereof. The actuating shaft is journaledin the cylindrical barrel of an esv cutclfieon 50 the enlarged flange of which is y screwed-to the outside of the case. TheOphas been moved.

-of the casewithin the shell enables 'erating handle or lever `is arranged to n 1ovej.. t.lv between two pins 51 serving espositive 'i stops, and a metallic contact head '52 asso`v Y ciated with each pin and arrangedto been` gaged by the operating handle at that end' of its movement serves as a'friction stop to hold the handle in the position to which it Upon the bottom'of the case are mounted the feet 53 upon which the case containing the telephone apparatus is adapted to rest when it is removed from the protecting shell, the feet being so proportioned that the parts projecting from the lower wall of the case,

" are held clear of the support u on which the om the shell.

case rest-s when it is removed It will be noted that the apparatus case is thus adapted-both for use within the shell, where it is provided with means for suspendin it from the walls, and for vuse outside o the shell, where it has provision for resting it upon any suitable support.l

The relation ofthe part-s is such that the case with its associated` apparatus `is held clear of the body of theprotecting shell, in which position it is less'likely to be injured by mechanical 'shocks such as result from the concuion of gun lire.

The telephone instrument, not shown,

which may consist of .a combined receiver and transmitter, and which may be connected by means 'of a 'flexible cord to they cation may then be had by means of the combined receiver and transmitter, which is lifted from the receptacle or tray -for that purpose. Removing the telephone instrument'from the tray automatically actuates ythe switch to establish the required connections. If for any reason the supply of current for the operation of the transmitter,

which current is arranged in the present instance to be supplied normally over the line -wires from some distance point, is interfered withor cut off, the user is ablev by throwing the operating handle 31 of the switch 30 from lits rightV hand to itsv left hand position to connect in circuit the local dry battery mounted in the pigeon hole 28,

which operates as a'n alternative source of current supply. In case any trouble should develop `in the apparatus'mounted `within the case 19 requiring the repair or replacement of any part, the removable mounting it readily to'be removed therefrom` as 'a unit without interfering with any of its circuit connections, and by unscrewingl the thumb .screws 22 the front panel may-be removed and access quickly had tothe interior of the case. When ja station equipped with'the apparatus of my invention is to 'be signaled, this may be done by causing the bel 32 to ring. The location of this bell in proximity to the opening in the underside ofthe shell enables its sound to be readily heard, while at the same time the screen 15 across the opening prevents the access of insects to the thereby to actuate said switch, a support for said receptacle and a hinged connection between said support and said receptacle whereby the receptacle is; adapted to be i tilted back to permit access to the switch.

2. In a telephone set, the combination with a closed compartment containing the ltelephone apparatus, of a circuit controlling switch within said compartment, a receptacle external to said compartment -adapted to support the telephone and to be depressed thereby, actuating means extending between said rece tacle and saidswitch,'and a diaphragm interposed between said switch and said receptacle adapted to maintain'the closure of said compartment while permitting the actuation through it. to said' switch by said receptacle.

3. The combination with a closed compartment, of electrical apparatus mounted therein, a switch comprising contact :parts secured to one of the walls of said compartment, an actuating key 'extending through said com artment and engaging said contact parts, a exible diaphragm secured over the end of said key projecting through the outside of said wall, apparatus associated with saidcompartment on the outside thereof, and means external -to said compartment automatically responsive-.to the manipulation of said apparatus for actuating said vcontact parts through the medium of said key.

4. In a telephone set, the combination with a protecting shell having an opening in the bottom thereof, of a case having apparatus mounted therein inclosed and removably supported by Vsaid shell, a telephone bell mounted in said case the gongs whereof land case havin are secured to the bottom oty said case in proximity to the aforesaid opening, and legs depending from the bottom nof said. case whereonthe same is adapted to be supported when it is removed from said shell. 5. In a telephone s et, the combination,

with an outer inclosing shell, of a closedI apparatus case removably .sup orted within said shell and inclosinv signalling apparatus anda switcha movab top of said case adapted to support the telephone apparatus and be depressed thereby to operate said switch, ringing apparatus including gongs secured to the-.under side of said case, and legs depending from the bottom of said case and projectingbelowsaid gongs whereon said case is adapted to be supported when removed from said shell.

6. In an artillery telephone set, the combination, with a massive metallic protecting shell, of a closed apparatus case inclosing signaling apparatus and a switch, said shell cooperating su orting means whereby t e case is remova l e receptacle upon the ylsupported in said shell clear of thepinterior` walls thereof, a movable receptaclepupon the top of said case adapted to support the telephone apparatus and be depressed thereby to operate said switch, ringing apparatus including gongs secured to the .under sidev of said case, and legs depending fromthe bottom of said case and projecting below said gongs whereon said case is adapted to be supported when removed from said shell.

7. In an artillery telephone set, the combination, with a massive metallic protecting shell provided on its inner surface with projecting strips having guide-ways formed therein, of a closed apparat-us case inclosing signaling apparatus and a switch, and having portions adapted tofengage the guideways in said projecting strips whereby said case is removably sup orted within said shell clear of the interior walls thereof, a vreceptacle hinged upon the top of said case ioo adapted to support the telephone apparatus and be depressed thereby to operate said switch, ringing apparatus inclu ing gongs secured lto the under side of said case, and legs depending from the bottom 'of said case and projecting below said gongs whereon said case is adapted to be supported when removed from said shell.

GEORGEAF. -ATWOODh Witnesses: u

WM. D. VANDERBILT, E. J. FROST. 

